Written Answers Nos. 2641-2660
2641. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason section 79(4) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 was not commenced in SI No. 206/2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33113/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume that the Deputy is referring to the Commencement Order SI No. 206 of 2018, which commences provisions in Part V of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.
Section 79(4) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 relates, in the first instance, to Sections 14 to 18 of the same Act, which require that each local authority make a Housing Services Plan. As Sections 14 to 18 were not previously commenced, Section 79(4) could therefore not be commenced.
While these provisions have not yet been commenced, it will not act as an impediment to the delivery of affordable housing by local authorities, driven by the substantially increased resources and new initiatives under Rebuilding Ireland.
2642. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the affordable dwellings fund will be established under Part 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33114/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2643. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the anticipated contribution in 2018 and in the future to the affordable dwellings fund under Part 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33115/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2644. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the role of the affordable dwellings fund in the provision of affordable units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33116/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2642 to 2644, inclusive, together.
Last month, I commenced the relevant provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the effect of which was to place the new scheme for affordable purchase on a statutory footing.
Section 94 provides for the establishment of an Affordable Dwellings Fund to finance the operation of the affordable dwelling purchase arrangements. Housing authorities will pay into the fund monies received from affordable dwelling purchasers in the form of payments made during the charged period, on expiration of the charged period, on resale of the dwelling within the charged period, and monies received, before the coming into operation of this Part, under clawback arrangements for dwellings sold under previous affordable purchase schemes.
The section also provides that the Fund will be managed by the Housing Finance Agency, who may advance monies from the Fund to housing authorities for housing support purposes under this Act.
My Department has met with the Housing Finance Agency with regard to the establishment and operation of the Fund, and are considering the optimal arrangements in advance of the Fund needing to be operational.
2646. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if Irish Water's practice of charging a standing charge for each connection for commercial water users who have multiple connections for the same business will be reviewed in view of the fact Irish Water states it endeavours to have equality and no undue discrimination in its water charges and this practice goes against that objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33121/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services Acts 2007-2017 set out clearly the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Irish Water, and for the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these arrangements. Responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and the CRU is required to perform its functions in a manner that best serves the interests of customers of Irish Water.
Under the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 (the Act), and since the 1st January 2014, Irish Water has been responsible for charging for the cost of connections to the water and wastewater network. Before Irish Water was established local authorities were responsible for connection charging arrangements.
The Act provides that Irish Water shall collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it in accordance with a water charges plan, to be approved by the CRU. Section 22(5) of the Act provides that a water charges plan may provide for charges in respect of the provision of services connections to premises. These are responsibilities that are assigned to Irish Water and to the CRU and I do not have a role in directing how any specific connection arrangements may apply.
I understand that in 2016 the CRU requested Irish Water to submit a proposal for an enduring Connection Charging Policy for customers seeking a connection to the public water and wastewater network. In January 2018, the CRU held a public consultation on the development of the Policy for domestic and non-domestic connections to Irish Water’s network, known as a National Connection Charging Policy. The Policy will be aimed at developing a more harmonised methodology for connections to the network.
The CRU as regulator is independent in this matter and will come to its own independent assessment of the appropriate Water Connections Charging Policy, having heard the views of interested parties through the public consultation process. As Minister, I must respect the statutory powers and functions which the Oireachtas has conferred on the CRU in this matter. It is anticipated that the new Water Connections Charging Policy will be finalised by the CRU in the coming months.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
2647. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of full-time firefighters currently employed by Waterford City and County Council (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33149/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2648. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of retained firefighters currently employed by Waterford City and County Council by station in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33150/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2647 and 2648 together.
My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers quarterly data on high level staff numbers in local authorities and based on figures received at end June 2018, there are 87 retained firefighters and 32 full time firefighters employed by Waterford City and County Council.
The data gathered by my Department does not provide details in terms of the fire stations retained fire fighters are assigned to or the breakdown by grade with regard to full time firefighters. This information will be available from the local authority.
2649. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of his plans to construct a new modern fit-for-purpose fire station in Kilmacthomas, County Waterford (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33151/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Act, 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
In February 2016, my Department announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on the current annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres. This programme includes a provision for the construction of sixteen new builds and ten fire station upgrade/refurbishments.
A new fire station at Kilmacthomas is provided for in this Fire Services Capital Programme, with an indicative date for construction in 2019. My Department is working with the local authority to progress this project.
2650. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of staff in An Bord Pleanála in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33198/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2651. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the budget of An Bord Pleanála in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33199/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2650 and 2651 together.
My Department engages with An Bord Pleanála on an ongoing basis to ensure that it has the appropriate resources to perform its broad range of functions. The Board currently has a complement of 11 members and has over 150 other staff employed.
Section 116 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides for the payment to the Board in each financial year of a grant of such amount as the Minister may fix, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The grant goes towards financing the administration and general expenses of the Board.
While the grant-aid funding provides for the majority of the Board’s annual income, the Board also generates income from fees charged. Section 144 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides for the determination of fees payable to the Board, subject to the approval of the Minister. In the main, these fees are payable to the Board by parties in respect of Strategic Infrastructure Development applications, appeals, referrals, oral hearing requests and certain other matters which are submitted for determination under the Planning and Development, Water Pollution, Air Pollution and Building Control Acts.
The following table sets out the number of whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff employed by An Bord Pleanála on 31 December for the years 2008 to 2017 and at 30 June 2018, in addition to the operating budget for the Board over the same period. The 2018 grant aid figure represents the amount provided in the 2018 Revised Estimates for Public Services.
|
Years |
Staffing* (WTE) |
Grant aid |
Miscellaneous Income (including income from fees) |
Total Operating Budget |
|
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
2008 |
179.50 |
15.098 |
6.250 |
21.348 |
|
2009 |
167.50 |
15.331 |
4.406 |
19.737 |
|
2010 |
163.00 |
13.565 |
3.307 |
16.872 |
|
2011 |
158.10 |
13.724 |
3.446 |
17.170 |
|
2012 |
145.80 |
12.897 |
2.485 |
15.382 |
|
2013 |
144.10 |
11.793 |
2.658 |
14.451 |
|
2014 |
142.40 |
12.138 |
2.620 |
14.758 |
|
2015 |
138.40 |
14.886 |
2.579 |
17.465 |
|
2016 |
142.10 |
14.405 |
2.987 |
17.392 |
|
2017 |
156.10 |
17.100 |
3.026 |
20.126 |
|
2018 |
167.30** |
17.244 |
4.583 |
21.827 |
*Staffing figures are inclusive of Board members
**WTE staffing as of June 30th
This information, and other related statistics, are available in An Bord Pleanála's Annual Reports which can be accessed on the following link: www.pleanala.ie/publications/index.htm.
I am satisfied that the Board has the necessary resources to deliver effectively and efficiently on its important statutory mandate and functions.
2652. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position regarding a review of the national stock of fire stations; his plans for a station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33262/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Act, 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
In February 2016, my Department announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on the current annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres. This programme is ongoing.
A new fire station was opened at Granard, Co Longford in 2007 which was fully grant-aided by my Department. Granard Fire Station is not therefore on the list of projects being supported in the current programme and Longford County Council have not been in touch with my Department with regard to any further proposals for that station.
2653. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the meetings, briefings or lobbying he or his departmental officials have had with representatives of a company (details supplied) in an official or unofficial capacity since 2013. [33267/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the meetings, briefings and lobbying since 2013, between relevant Ministers or officials of my Department and representatives of the company in question, are set out in the following table.
|
Date |
Meeting Y/N |
Briefing Y/N |
Lobbying Y/N |
Details |
|
13 July 2015 |
Y |
N |
N |
Officials from DHPLG and DPER,Representatives from Bartra, KPMG, Goodbody Stockbrokers, Arthur Cox and Insight Consultants atttended this meeting. A wide variety of developers, investors, financiers and others are interested in being involved in the provision of social housing across the country and the opportunities afforded by the Social Housing Strategy. It is appropriate to consider such social housing investment/delivery proposals with respect to their viability in terms of delivering social housing. A structured, formal process of engagement with proposers of social housing investment/delivery proposals was setup which was known as the Clearing House Group. |
|
24 July 2015 |
Y |
N |
N |
Officials from DHPLG and DPERRepresentatives from Bartra, KPMG, Goodbody Stockbrokers, and Insight Consultants attended this Exchange of views meeting. |
|
28 August 2015 |
Y |
N |
N |
Officials from DHPLG and DPER,Representatives from Bartra, KPMG, Goodbody Stockbrokers, Arthur Cox and Insight Consultants attended this meeting. A wide variety of developers, investors, financiers and others are interested in being involved in the provision of social housing across the country and the opportunities afforded by the Social Housing Strategy. It is appropriate to consider such social housing investment/delivery proposals with respect to their viability in terms of delivering social housing. A structured, formal process of engagement with proposers of social housing investment/delivery proposals was setup which was known as the Clearing House Group. |
|
11/05/2016 – 13/12/2016 |
N |
Y |
N |
On 11/05/2016 Bartra Capital contacted AHB Regulation requesting information on how to apply for Approved Housing Body status. On 22/08/2016 Bartra Capital applied for approved status from the Minister for “Bartra Approved Housing Association” under section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. Further correspondence ensued, the latest of which issued from the Department on 13/12/2016 requesting the outstanding necessary supporting documentation which was missing from their application. No meetings took place. |
|
23 June 2016 |
N (Reception) |
N |
N |
Reception hosted by Property Industry Ireland (Minister Coveney) |
|
12 July 2016 |
Y |
N |
N |
Officials from DHPLG Representatives from Bartra Capital and KPMG attended a meeting to discuss Social Housing Investment (Enhanced Leasing Scheme). |
|
1 December 2016 |
Y |
N |
N |
Minister English and Officials from the Department met with representatives from Bartra Capital Property. A discussion took place about the Social Housing Investment (Enhanced Leasing) Scheme. |
|
31 August 2017 |
N |
N |
Y |
Lobbying letter sent from Richard Barrett (Bartra) to Minister Murphy for a meeting on investment in Social Housing. |
|
20 October 2017 |
N |
N |
Y |
Letter of reply issued to Bartra Capital on behalf of the Minister. |
|
19 April 2018 |
N (Panel discussion) |
Y |
N |
Took part in a panel discussion hosted by Dublin Donegal Business Network (design standards for new apartments) (Minister Murphy). |
2654. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated number of private residential landlords as per the latest Residential Tenancies Board information and other sources; the number across each local authority area; the number of privately rented residential units per local authority area controlled by these landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33331/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2655. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated number of private residential landlords with multiple rented properties as per the latest Residential Tenancies Board information and other sources; the landlords of each across each local authority; the range of numbers of properties controlled by such landlords, for example, the number and percentage of landlords that have more than two, five, ten, 15 or 20 properties and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33332/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2654 and 2655 together.
My Department does not hold or collate the data referred to by the Deputy in relation to private residential landlords.
The Clerk of the Dáil requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P)05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) set up a dedicated email address for this purpose, at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie.
The RTB Annual Report 2017 which contains 2017 data on private landlords can be found at the following link: https://onestopshop.rtb.ie/images/uploads/Comms%20and%20Research/RTB_Annual_Report_2017.pdf.
2656. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has sought a report on the structural problems that have emerged at an apartment complex (details supplied) and on measures to ensure the safety of residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33333/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including the implementation of planned maintenance programmes and the carrying out of responsive repairs for tenants living in social housing, is a matter for each individual local authority under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Therefore the specific issue raised is a matter for Dublin City Council (DCC).
However, DCC advises that consultant engineers were appointed to carry out a structural examination to determine whether the works to make these stairwells safe can be carried out while the residents remain in their homes. Following the survey, DCC has engaged a contractor to carry out preparatory work. In the short-term, DCC has agreed with the residents to address the stairwells and to collaborate around a schedule of precautionary works to all of the blocks. In the long-term the Council intends to regenerate the entire estate.
The safety of the buildings and the tenants in the complex referred to by the Deputy is of the upmost importance to DCC and I understand that the Council is liaising directly with the residents. While it is regrettable that residents will face inevitable inconvenience due to the carrying out of remedial works, DCC will work with them to minimise any such disruption.
2657. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if Irish Water automatic meter reading technology is still in use; the number of automatic meter readings Irish Water has conducted nationally in the past two years to date; if Irish Water has outsourced the drive-by automatic meter readings to a third party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33348/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the planning, delivery and operation of water and wastewater services at national, regional and local levels, and is independent in the exercise of its statutory functions and in relation to day to day operational matters.
The Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025, as published on 21 May 2018 following its approval by Government, supports the promotion of water conservation and water resource management as an important element of water services policy that is to be reflected in strategic investment planning by Irish Water. For the period of the Policy Statement, this will involve the prioritisation of multifaceted programmes around leak detection and repair, network improvements, cost effective metering, public awareness campaigns and funding to fix customer side leaks. The Policy Statement is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/water_services_policy_statement_2018-2025_0.pdf.
This policy statement was informed by the 2017 Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services which was approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas and which includes a number of recommendations in relation to the continued use of metering to support water conservation, to reduce leakages and to ensure compliance with the European Union Water Framework Directive, as opposed to for revenue raising purposes. Consistent with this policy position, Irish Water continues to use automatic meter readings for domestic and non-domestic customers.
A key initiative contributing to Irish Water’s efforts to reduce leakage is the First Fix Free scheme, which is greatly facilitated by the continuous flow alarms from meters indicating that a leak may exist. In line with the First Fix Free scheme, such notifications are brought to the customer’s attention by Irish Water together with the facility to avail of the check for, and repair of, a leak from the service pipe between the boundary of the customer’s property and the house at no cost to the customer.
A wider nationwide leakage management system has also been put in place informed by data from domestic, non-domestic, and district meters to identify and prioritise the most serious leaks in the public water system in order to ensure that available funding is targeted effectively. Good data on water usage also provides an important reference point and benchmark in assessing and measuring the effectiveness of conservation measures and performance in meeting the objective of water conservation.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
2658. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when there will be a review of the rent pressure zones with consideration of the inclusion of further parts of the country, including Limerick and Waterford cities; if the criteria for qualification as a rent pressure zone will be changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33368/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 24A of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004, as amended, provides that the Housing Agency, in consultation with housing authorities, may make a proposal to the Minister that an area should be considered as a Rent Pressure Zone. Following receipt of such a proposal, the Minister requests the Director of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to conduct an assessment of the area to establish whether or not it meets the criteria for designation and to report to the Minister on whether the area should be designated as a Rent Pressure Zone. For the purpose of the Act, ‘area’ is defined as either the administrative area of a housing authority or a local electoral area within the meaning of section 2 of the Local Government Act 2001. There is no provision for any other type of area to be designated as a Rent Pressure Zone.
For an area to be designated as a Rent Pressure Zone, it must satisfy the following criteria set out in section 24A(4) of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as inserted by section 36 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016):
(i) The annual rate of rent inflation in the area must have been 7% or more in four of the last six quarters; and
(ii) The average rent for tenancies registered in the area with the RTB in the last quarter must be above the average national rent (the National Standardised Rent in the RTB’s Rent Index Report) in the last quarter (€1,060 per month in Q1 2018).
Further information on Rent Pressure Zones and designations is available on my Department’s website at www.housing.gov.ie/PUBLICATIONS by searching ‘rent pressure zones – information’ in the "Housing Publications" section.
The Housing Agency will continue to monitor the rental market and may recommend further areas for designation. Where, following the procedures set out in the Act, it is found at a future date that additional areas meet the criteria, they will be designated as Rent Pressure Zones.
I have no plans to alter the criteria for designation of an area as a Rent Pressure Zone at this time.
2659. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which a large licence for mechanical harvesting of kelp can be issued without an environmental impact assessment in regard to Bantry Bay; if it is a requirement of the terms of licence; the reason there were no public consultation meetings held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33379/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive applies to a wide range of public and private projects. It is a mandatory requirement for project types listed in Annex I of the Directive, e.g., the construction of motorways and airports or the construction of installations for the disposal of hazardous waste. For project types listed in Annex II, it is up to the consenting authority to determine if an EIA is required by carrying out EIA screening based on criteria set out in the Directive. Examples of Annex II projects include intensive fish farming, reclamation of land from the sea, extractive mining, fossil fuel storage or metal processing. An EIA may also be required where the thresholds set out in the Directive are not met (sub-threshold EIA) or where the project or activity is proposed to be carried out in a Natura 2000 site.
If the consenting authority determines that the EIA Directive applies to a project, it requires that an applicant must prepare and submit an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), following which, the consent authority would carry out an EIA. In the particular case referred to, the proposed project was not within a Natura 2000 site, it was not of a class set out in Annex I of the Directive and it did not fall within Annex II. An EIS was not required and while it was open to the Minister at the time to carry out an EIA, this was not considered necessary.
Normal public consultation procedures were followed in this case, with the application being advertised in a local newspaper (The Southern Star) and it was also made available for inspection at a local Garda Station (Bantry) for a period of 21 days. No submissions were received from members of the public during the consultation period.
In line with usual procedures, the application was also circulated to various bodies for their views and input. Submissions were received from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Underwater Archaeology Unit of the then Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Marine Survey Office, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, the Central Fisheries Board and the Marine Institute. The Marine Licence Vetting Committee considered all material pertaining to the application and concluded that subject to compliance with specific conditions, the proposed harvesting was not likely to have a significant negative impact on the marine environment.
All details of the application and determination are available on my Department’s website at www.housing.gov.ie/planning/foreshore/applications/bioatlantis-ltd.
2660. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of houses that have been acquired or purchased by Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council, respectively, in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33386/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2661. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of houses that have been built by the local authorities in counties Cavan and Monaghan in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33387/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2660 and 2661 together.
Details of the number of houses that have been built and acquired by local authorities, including in counties Cavan and Monaghan, in each of the years 2013 to Q1 2018, are published and available on my Department's website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
